Curing Jet Lag

sleep or wake naturally

1. Melatonin We naturally have levels of this substance in our bodies. When the levels rise in your body, it promotes sleep. Taking additional melatonin in tablet form raises the levels in your system, hence nighty-night. Make this a last resort, because like caffeine, it messes with your time clock.

2. No-Jet-Lag A natural product from New Zealand, it can be ordered online and supposedly stops jet lag.

3. Vitamin B12 This promotes energy. Potassium and vitamin C are important in any diet, and on the plane, it is especially important to replenish your system to combat the strain that high altitudes place on your immune system and your overall well-being.

4. Herbalists Consult your local herbalist or vitamin store, as well as places that specialize in aromatherapy. There are scents that can help to awaken or calm your senses, such as lavender and citrus.

5. Water This cannot be over-emphasized. Learn it, love it, live it! Drink water by the gallon, mist it on your face and towel your neck. Just do it! Plain and simple.

6. Stay mobile Exercise is crucial for everyone. It helps to rejuvenate tired muscles or cramps caused from sitting on the plane for too long. Simply get up and walk the aisles, or step to the back of the plane and stretch. Once you've deplaned, look for hotel stairs, or a safe park or street where you can walk or run.

7. Try to get into the light Don't sleep your lag away! The key is to stay regimented. Get outdoors and let the light rejuvenate you.

8. Take a nap Once you get to your destination, snooze. Most of us are so excited to be elsewhere that it's go, go, go. Not good! It may feel OK in the moment, but when you get back home, you'll be exhausted, possibly sick, and needing a vacation from that vacation.

9. Don't stay asleep Nap, but don't close your drapes and sleep for long stretches of time. If you sleep eight hours, then set your alarm or wake-up call for eight hours later during sleeping hours only. Sometimes, the more you sleep, the harder it is to shake jet lag.

Always keep in mind that excess sleep becomes a nightmare!

reach for the sky

Traveling can be a real strain on your body, but fortunately, this is avoidable. Minimize your jet lag by following the tips presented here, and enjoy every waking moment of your journey.